Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Scoutie Misses Her Friend

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Dear little Scout is having a hard time processing the fact that Riley isn’t here. At first, I think she thought he was just away for a few days. After some time passed, she became increasingly more agitated. She has long stretches of time where she seems fine. But then, suddenly, she’ll get up, go to a rug, start pawing and scratching at the rug and then she’ll walk around the room a few times in a very agitated state. The ‘pawing’ of the rug is something she’s done before, but never this much and never this obsessively. When that happens, I call to her and tell her to come and I pet her and soothe her, telling her everything is going to be alright.

She positions herself on Riley’s rug and looks at us. She wants to know where we are at all times. She follows me to the bathroom and peeks in the door – something Riley used to do all the time. She’s 13 now, actually 13 ½, and I see her slowing down, getting tired more quickly.

I don’t even want to go there. Not after what we’ve just been through.

She knows that a member of our pack is missing. She can’t figure out where he is. So we are spoiling her, coddling her, soothing her; doing everything we can to help her through this sad transition in our family life.

We take her on car rides.

She loves the view.

So do I.

Now you see why the organization that rescued her named her ‘Smiley.’ She, at her best, is pure joy. We want to get her back to her best.

I know many of you have been through this particular situation: trying to help the dog that is left behind cope with the loss of a friend. Any tips? Anything that worked for you?

A couple of you shared this quote with me about losing a beloved pet:

 “It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

I love this. I can only hope I become that generous and loving.

On another note: I posted a book review yesterday (scroll down 2 posts) and I didn’t get permission for a giveaway until later in the day. This comedic thriller is such a great read. I really recommend it. If you’re interested, leave a comment on the post. In order to give you extra time to comment, I’ll pick a winner on Sunday.

And don’t forget the party that starts this Saturday.

A Chicken Wire Fence Garden

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I have two posts up today. Scroll down for my book review – it’s a great book and I’m giving away a copy.

Earlier this summer, I decided to add a narrow bed in front of the dog corral. Those of you who are long-time readers know that the dog corral is made out of chicken wire fencing. It does its job, but let’s face it, it’s none too attractive. I thought adding a few plants grown from seed might add a bit of beauty to an otherwise blah area. I got this idea late in the spring, so my plants have begun to bloom only in the last few weeks. Sort of nice, this late-blooming garden.

I planted zinnia and sunflower seeds. If you read this post, you’ll remember that, instead of sunflowers, I was getting zinnias and hyacinth bean vines. Go figure.

Here is my funky little plot. You know what? It does disguise that chicken wire rather nicely.

 Aren’t zinnias amazing? Big white petals, with little yellow flowers in the center.

Brenda, these are for you. I know you miss seeing your zinnias.

 Each one is unique.

But wait, what do I see?

That’s no zinnia. That, my friends, is sunflower! And darned if there aren’t two of them.

We’re so excited! We’re finally going to have some sunflowers. Don keeps checking on them every day.

Thank you to everyone who keeps checking in on me. We’re doing as well as can be expected. Scout is having a very hard time, so we are spoiling her and doing everything we can to help cope with this change. I can be fine for several hours and then lose it, like I did last night. The minute I hit the pillow I started crying. It’s hard for me to drive by the animal hospital and, since it’s on the road into town, I have to. I just look away. We’re okay, though.

A reminder about Saturday’s new meme/party: A Favorite Thing. This whole idea grew out of this post, where I shared my great-grandmother’s syrup jug. That led me to ponder the idea of a weekly party where we all can share a favorite thing. It could be an antique, a vintage find, a favorite piece of furniture, a garden, an appliance, a book, a film, a CD, a tree, a place, a car- you name it. It just has to be a true favorite thing. That’s all. This will be a weekly party, taking place on Saturday. But I will put up the post on Friday night, with the links available, so that you have extra time to post if your weekend is particularly busy.

I think it will be lots of fun and goodness knows, we can all use some fun.

Happy Wednesday.

P.S. The Etsy shop is open again!

Book Review – Whiplash River by Lou Berney & Giveaway

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I’m reviewing Whiplash River by Lou Berney today for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in return for my honest review.

A brief plot summary from the publisher: Having left his life of crime behind, former getaway driver Charles “Shake” Bouchon has finally realized the dream of owning his own restaurant in Belize. Unfortunately, to do so he’s had to go deep in debt to a murderous local drug lord names Baby Jesus. And when Shake thwarts an attempted hit on an elderly customer named Quinn, things go from bad to worse.

Next thing Shake knows, his restaurant’s gone up in flames and he’s on the run from Baby Jesus, two freelance assassins, and a beautiful but ferocious FBI agent. Out of options, Shake has to turn to the mysterious Quinn for help. Suddenly Shake’s up to his neck in a dangerous score that he’ll never pull off unless he can convince an even more dangerous ex-girlfriend to join him.

My review: Loved, loved, loved this book. This is such a fun read. Berney is a gifted writer. He has given us a richly drawn cast of characters. Many of them live on the edge and deal in not-so-legal activities. No matter. Berney’s gift is in writing quirky, far-from-upright characters that, nevertheless, draw you in. This book is populated by a whole bunch of crazies (and I say that with great affection.) Shake, the protagonist, has a past life that led him to a stint in jail and he’s trying very hard to live a ‘normal’ life in Belize.  Quinn, an older, mystery man has a shady past working on ‘deals’ in various countries. He talks about it continuously and hilariously. There’s the misguided young couple who are bent on killing both Quinn and Shake. There’s Evelyn, the beautiful FBI agent who goes a bit rogue.  And Shake’s ex-girlfriend, Gina, who has turned her life around but decides to go in on a caper with Quinn and Shake, just to get back at Shake for their break-up. From Belize to Egypt, this comedy-thriller, takes us on a wild ride.

I like protagonists who aren’t necessarily on the up-and-up, but who are trying to do the right thing. Much more interesting, I think. Shake is one of those characters. He’s done some bad things, yes, but he’s basically a good guy thrown into a situation where he has to do what he has to do. You can’t help but fall for him. Berney has a great gift for creating off-beat characters and a richly detailed environment. The plot is fast-paced and incredibly entertaining.

I like a touch of absurd. What I love about this book is that in the midst of something violent, Berney often adds that touch of absurd that flips the moment and changes my perception. That takes great skill. This would make a great movie; it’s perfect for film.

Berney has been compared to Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard. He is every bit their equal. He’s written another book, Gutshot Straight, that also features Shake and Gina. You can bet I will be buying it. I recommend this book highly. If you love crime thrillers with a touch of the absurd, you’ll love this book.

About the author: Lou Berney is an accomplished writer, teacher, and liar who has written feature screenplays and created TV pilots for Warner Brothers, Paramount, Focus Features, ABC, and Fox, among others. His short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, Ploughshares, the Pushcart Prize anthology, and other publications. His first novel, Gutshot Straight, was named one of the ten best debut crime novels of the year by Booklist and nominated for a Barry Award.

Published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, paperback, 305 pages.

One of you will be the lucky winner of a copy of this great book – leave a comment and you’ll be entered!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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